What’s happening?
After winning Champion Rum in 2024 with its Vintage Cane Spirit, Burdekin Rum, located just an hour south of Townsville, has proven that regional producers can lead on the national stage.
Now, entries are officially open for the 2025 Royal Queensland Distilled Spirit Awards, supported by King Street.
Judging kicks off in July 2025, with Dave Withers, Master Distiller at Archie Rose Distilling Co, stepping up as the newly appointed Chief Judge.
“To be Chief Judge means a lot to me,” said Withers. “I understand the amount of work that producers put into each and every bottle of spirit, so to be entrusted with reviewing these spirits alongside my fellow judges is something I take seriously and am excited about.”
Why it matters
The Royal Queensland Distilled Spirit Awards is fast becoming a defining event in Australia’s craft distilling scene. It highlights quality, innovation, and craftsmanship—and now includes a new Alternative Spirit class for unique entries such as absinthe, schnapps, unaged whisky, bitters, and vermouth.
“One of the amazing opportunities we have in making spirits in Australia are flexible definitions and legislation that supports innovation,” said Withers. “This new category really allows producers to put those fabulous but hard to define products up for judging.”
Local Impact
Burdekin Rum’s national win brought attention to North Queensland’s emerging distilling talent and opened doors for other local producers to step into the spotlight. The Awards are a powerful platform to help Townsville and Burdekin-based distilleries expand their audience.
Sarah Andrew from the Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits Advisory Group said the awards provide detailed and expert feedback that producers can use to further enhance quality.
“By bringing together both technical and stylistic judges from across the country, distillers can be reassured that judging covers all aspects of a spirit through to quality assessment,” she said.
“Where appropriate, detailed feedback is provided to enable distillers to address any particular area of production or simply keep producing their highly awarded spirit.”
By the Numbers
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Burdekin Rum’s Vintage Cane Spirit won Champion Rum at the 2024 awards.
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Judging begins July 2025; entries close Friday, 6 June 2025.
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Full list of 2024 award winners available here (PDF).
Zoom In
Chief Judge Dave Withers brings a world-class pedigree, with accolades including Gin Distiller of the Year (Icons of Gin Awards) and Master Distiller of the Year (Spirits Business Awards). His presence adds global credibility to this Australian awards program.
Zoom Out
Australia’s distilling scene continues to boom. With growing consumer demand for local spirits and flexible legislation that encourages creativity, competitions like this are critical to spotlighting regional excellence.
What to Look for Next?
All eyes will be on the 2025 winners announcement post-July. Distillers across Australia can enter their products now at www.rqa.com.au.
